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Hypercoagulability and venous thromboembolism in burn patients
Jonathan P Meizoso1, Juliet J Ray1, Casey J Allen1
1Divisions of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and Burns at the Ryder Trauma Center, The DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis
|January 16, 2015
Summary
This review covers venous thromboembolism (VTE) and hypercoagulability in burn patients, examining incidence, risk factors, and thromboprophylaxis. It highlights the need for more research on VTE and safe treatments in this population.
Area of Science:
- Burn patient care
- Hematology
- Thrombosis research
Background:
- Burn injuries significantly alter patient coagulability.
- Hypercoagulability and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are serious complications in burn patients.
- Existing literature lacks a comprehensive review on VTE in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide the first comprehensive review of VTE and hypercoagulability in burn patients.
- To synthesize current knowledge on VTE incidence, risk factors, and management strategies.
- To identify gaps in research and advocate for future clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on coagulation changes in burn patients.
- Analysis of data from thromboelastography and other hemostatic assays.
- Examination of studies on disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in burn survivors.
Main Results:
- Burn patients exhibit specific changes in coagulability, increasing VTE risk.
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a recognized complication.
- Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is a key thromboprophylaxis, monitored by antifactor Xa levels.
Conclusions:
- Further large-scale, prospective studies are crucial for burn patients.
- Research should focus on accurate VTE incidence rates.
- Optimizing safe and effective thromboprophylaxis strategies is essential.
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